Top 5 fantasy football waiver wire options in Week 17

For most of the fantasy football world, their season is over. The championships were in Week 16, so congratulations if you won, and condolences if you lost. Now we sit back, prepare for the real-world NFL playoffs, and maybe start talking to our families again.

That is, unless you’re in one of those leagues that plays into Week 17, which is weird, but we’ll try to help you out anyway. Week 17 can be tricky from a fantasy standpoint, given the number of playoff teams likely to rest starters, and non-contenders phoning it in with nothing to play for.

Therefore, the main focus should be on targeting teams still fighting for a playoff spot, especially if they’re playing one of those checked-out teams. If you play in a keeper or dynasty league, it’s also not too early to start planning for 2018, so take a look at some young names on the waiver wire who could be next year’s breakout stars.

With that in mind, for one final time this season, let’s look at the top five waiver wire options, owned in 50 percent or less of Yahoo! leagues.

So, this Jimmy G kid might have a future in the NFL. It didn’t take long for him to completely flip the narrative on the 49ers’ season — they went from 1-10 to winning four straight games and looking like a trendy playoff contender next season. Of course, Garoppolo is a free agent, but we’ll be shocked if San Francisco lets him hit the market. A borderline QB1 during this hot stretch, Garoppolo passed his biggest test by upsetting the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’ll have another challenge against the Los Angeles Rams, who clinched the NFC West but can still get a first-round bye with help.

A non-factor for most of the season, Williams took over for Adrian Peterson several weeks ago after Peterson suffered a season-ending neck injury. He hasn’t dazzled on the box score, but is getting plenty of volume as the Cardinals rotate between Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton at quarterback. Williams has RB2 upside as the Cardinals try to play spoiler against the Seattle Seahawks, whose run defense has been poor recently.

Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns are still out with ankle injuries and probably won’t return before the playoffs. That locks in Westbrook as the No. 1 receiver, though he and Keelan Cole are seeing a more even target share. Still, Westbrook turned four catches into 74 yards and nearly scored a touchdown, being one of the few bright spots on a Jaguars team that fell apart against the 49ers. The Jaguars can’t improve their playoff seeding, but they will be motivated to knock the division rival Tennessee Titans out of the race for good. Westbrook will be a WR3 for that matchup.

After missing most of his rookie year with an Achilles injury, you could forgive Doctson for some growing pains in 2017. Despite the wide receiver group getting ravaged by injuries, Doctson has just 31 catches for 465 yards. However, he also has six touchdowns, showing some major big-play ability and a glimpse at his vast potential. Doctson closes out the year as a touchdown-or-bust streamer against the New York Giants, then must play the waiting game as Kirk Cousins approaches free agency. Washington’s quarterback situation will likely be a big factor in Doctson’s 2018 fantasy value.

Joe Mixon has really struggled to stay healthy in recent weeks, missing time with a concussion and ankle injury. That allowed Bernard to put himself back on the fantasy map, and he’s been a nifty waiver wire gem the past few games. Bernard exploded in Week 16 with 168 total yards and a touchdown, helping the Bengals knock the Detroit Lions out of the playoffs. If Mixon doesn’t play this week, Bernard will be a decent flex play even in a tough matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.